Adult Shops - Do they have a place in society?

Biggins

I was asking elsewhere on the forum just about a location of Adult Shops and one opinion offered was that their town was better without "that type of shop".

So I ask the lads and lassies here if I may, whats your attitude to adult shops?
* Do they have a place and role in society?
* Does anyone have a problem with their existence as a shop or would they prefer the old (some could say outdated) ways of everything handled "under the counter" as such and spoken about in hushed voices attitude - or is it time some moved on with the times and treated such shops with the respect, service and acknowledgement they deserve today?

---

Myself, I feel its time that some of the old attitudes of "its not the dine thing" or "we all know these places exist but not on my street" need to be thrown out with the ways of the past that have become outdated and frankly crass.
I feel its time some old "behind closed doors" subjects need more so to be faced and maybe we then wouldn't have to much sexual frustration that might had in the past led to evil people, taking their inner frustrations out onto others in bad and often illegal ways.

Adult shops for me offer for me in todays society, a way not to damage a partnership or is indeed bad - but offer instead more ways to enhance the life of the one you love, be it man or woman - and its about time we should not be ashamed for wanting to do just that with a little help sometimes from facilities available from adult shops - such as Ann Summers and such like.

The poll question for the forum is this:

If done tastefully right, would an Ann Summers style shop be acceptable to you in existence within your own town?

Poll question should say "within"
(Maybe a mod can edit it?)

later12

Why would it have to be tasteful?

I don't find Dublin's more vulgar 'celeb' hangouts tasteful, but I don't care what goes on in there, or who ends us shagging whom as a result.

It's 2011, sex shops that provide a service to adults are none of other people's business.

jive

Won't somebody please think of the children??!! It's disgraceful Joe.

It's shop for phucks sake. I hate to break the bad news but the people who would be going into such shop would be causing a dirty ruckus around the town regardless of whether it was there or not. Or.... they might just be normal people..... but let's not throw mad ideas around. Sex toys and lingerie are for sick sick individuals.

Burn.
Them.
All.

Biggins

later10 wrote: »

Why would it have to be tasteful?

I assume there is in every town, regulations as to what can be displayed or that the decor of a shop frontage, has to be within local (and maybe national?) guidelines.
So "tasteful" in frontage so that no one is offended as they pass by and don't enter - if you know what I mean.

TheZohanS

Biggins wrote: »

I was asking elsewhere on the forum about Adult Shops and one opinion offered was that their town was better without "that type of shop".

So I ask the lads and lassies here if I may, whats your attitude to adult shops?
* Do they have a place and role in society?
* Does anyone have a problem with their existence as a shop or would they prefer the old (some could say outdated) ways of everything handled "under the counter" as such and spoken about in hushed voices attitude - or is it time some moved on with the times and treated such shops with the respect, service and acknowledgement they deserve today?

---

Myself, I feel its time that some of the old attitudes of "its not the dine thing" or "we all know these places exist but not on my street" need to be thrown out with the ways of the past that have become outdated and frankly crass.
I feel its time some old "behind closed doors" subjects need more so to be faced and maybe we then wouldn't have to much sexual frustration that might had in the past led to evil people, taking their inner frustrations out onto others in bad and often illegal ways.

Adult shops for me offer for me in todays society, a way not to damage a partnership or is indeed bad - but offer instead more ways to enhance the life of the one you love, be it man or woman - and its about time we should not be ashamed for wanting to do just that with a little help sometimes from facilities available from adult shops - such as Ann Summers and such like.

The poll question for the forum is this:

If done tastefully right, would an Ann Summers style shop be acceptable to you in existence within your own town?

Poll being created...

tl;dr: trying to convince madmammy to but a big dildo.

chin_grin

Careful now.

Ah they've a right to exist. They're a great resource for Halloween costumes. (Gimp masks........don't look at me like that!).

I mean before this thread goes all 8mm, there are people who are in to mad stuff (I know I've been in to these shops!) and once it doesn't interfere with my day to day or break any laws then fair play to 'em.

By the way............Ann Summers? Aw...........the innocence. :pac:

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Biggins wrote: »

I was asking elsewhere on the forum about Adult Shops and one opinion offered was that their town was better without "that type of shop".

So I ask the lads and lassies here if I may, whats your attitude to adult shops?
* Do they have a place and role in society?
* Does anyone have a problem with their existence as a shop or would they prefer the old (some could say outdated) ways of everything handled "under the counter" as such and spoken about in hushed voices attitude - or is it time some moved on with the times and treated such shops with the respect, service and acknowledgement they deserve today?

---

Myself, I feel its time that some of the old attitudes of "its not the dine thing" or "we all know these places exist but not on my street" need to be thrown out with the ways of the past that have become outdated and frankly crass.
I feel its time some old "behind closed doors" subjects need more so to be faced and maybe we then wouldn't have to much sexual frustration that might had in the past led to evil people, taking their inner frustrations out onto others in bad and often illegal ways.

Adult shops for me offer for me in todays society, a way not to damage a partnership or is indeed bad - but offer instead more ways to enhance the life of the one you love, be it man or woman - and its about time we should not be ashamed for wanting to do just that with a little help sometimes from facilities available from adult shops - such as Ann Summers and such like.

The poll question for the forum is this:

If done tastefully right, would an Ann Summers style shop be acceptable to you in existence within your own town?

Poll being created...

Yes. This better not be Joe Duffy v Headshops II

WindSock

The only problem I have with them is the tacky seedy look they have in some places, you see this especially on the continent.

chin_grin

WindSock wrote: »

The only problem I have with them is the tacky seedy look they have in some places you see this especially on the continent.

This is how I see you now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4wBLUBa8YI

krudler

Anne Summers? thats more a one stop for cliche ridden hen nights (devil horns and sashes with "Ms Dirty" on them, nobody would ever expect that!) than a sex shop, someplace like Miss Fantasias is much better.

Biggins

WindSock wrote: »

The only problem I have with them is the tacky seedy look they have in some places you see this especially on the continent.

This is true - I have seen some myself in very beautiful cities and they let the rest of the area down - but I have also seen some very good frontage looking ones too in places you might not expect.

If done right - I feel they should be allowed to open most times in places that would be acceptable to most, as with other shops selling/offering goods or services.

D1stant

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Yes. This better not be Joe Duffy v Headshops II

Anyone mentions Joe Duffy again, there will be blood.

Absurdum

Have you seen the ****e that passes for lingerie in tesco?

bollox to that, adult shops ftw

chin_grin

krudler wrote: »

....someplace like Miss Fantasias is much better.

+1. That's where I got my gimp mask.............for Halloween...........why won't anyone believe me?

Biggins wrote: »

......as with other shops selling/offering goods or services.

No no no, they're brothels. :pac:

Biggins

krudler wrote: »

Anne Summers? thats more a one stop for cliche ridden hen nights (devil horns and sashes with "Ms Dirty" on them, nobody would ever expect that!) than a sex shop, someplace like Miss Fantasias is much better.

Be it Ann Summers style or Miss Fantasias style - if as a shop front, they are within average acceptable standard practises of public decency etc, was partly my thought.
They don't HAVE to be an Ann Summers shop to be allowed as such but summers shops and others like it facade-wise, seen to look better presented to the public.

My name is URL

jive wrote: »

It's shop for phucks sake.

Literally

stovelid

I saw one once in Prague called EROTIC CITY.

I approved.

Captain Havoc

Sex is a normal part of every day life (well, should be) and I think anything that makes sex more pleasurable is a good thing. As for porn, a tommy tank is a normal thing and magazines/ videos are stimulating, with various free internet sites though, I don't know why one would pay for it.

PseudoFamous

Down with this sort of thing!

Bipolar Joe

Where else could I buy adults? They're clearly needed.

mikemac

Prime candidate for a NIMBY objection

They have a place but only in commercial areas.

Not in residential streets as they did by terraced housing in Bohermore, Galway with a bright sign and open until the early hours of the morning

The residents went a bit overboard with their protests but they had a point, this sort of shop should be in the town centre

Biggins wrote: »

Myself, I feel its time that some of the old attitudes of "its not the dine thing" or "we all know these places exist but not on my street" need to be thrown out with the ways of the past that have become outdated and frankly crass.

So this is a bit strong.
It would bother you if one opened right next door to you on your street or in your estate
These are open until one or two am and their bright signage

badabing106

Anne summers = Adult shop lol

Wolfe Tone

Biggins that shop was located right beside the library, which as you know is frequented by lots of kids. Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but I'd rather not have young kids exposed to things like that.


Im flattered that my response provoked a thread though!

Ally Dick

I think Anne Summers shops are more harmless that the sex shop selling mags, videos etc. to be honest. Porn should be accessible to anyone over 18 that wants it. The sex shops in Ireland are in the right place, discreetly tucked away, doing no harm. That's the way it should be. I don't think we should ever get like England with body parts on display on the top shelfs of general newsagents. At the end of the day, who am I to criticise how another bloke has a pedal and crank, but as Billy Connolly said "It's not a spectator sport". Keep it all away from anyone underage, and I am fine with it

xsiborg

Interesting one this actually, was watching "Undercover Boss" on channel 4 recently and it was the boss of Ann Summers that went under cover to see how her shops could be improved, and it just so happened that customers wanted raunchier and more explicit niche, BDSM products, one shop i think it was in Brighton, the manageress there really seemed passionate about turning the Ann Summers brand from a cliche'd tacky shop to an actual proper sex shop.

i've been in the local ann summers shop and i have to say, while the attitude of the staff was extremely professional, a lot of the products were just standard "meh", as in they were over-priced "cheap" products, i just happened to be in a hurry as it was a friend's birthday that night so i paid €70 for a standard vibrator that i could have got online for half the price!

there's another sex shop then right across the road from a dunnes stores, doesn't seem to do much business though, i havent been in there yet myself but i imagine yet again they do more business online than from the shop.

i do think they have a place in modern society, certainly, but do i think they are a viable business in bricks and mortar form? certainly not.

maybe we then wouldn't have to much sexual frustration that might had in the past led to evil people, taking their inner frustrations out onto others in bad and often illegal ways.

hmm, cant see the connection there Biggins, evil people are evil, the visibility of sex shops, nor the availability of sex toys would never have, and will never, change this.

stovelid

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Biggins that shop was located right beside the library, which as you know is frequented by lots of kids.

Unless they let kids into the shop, it's not an issue is it?

Would you object to a pub there?

Wolfe Tone

stovelid wrote: »

Unless they let kids into the shop, it's not an issue is it?

Would you object to a pub there?

Bit of an issue when they have stuff in the window or posters stuck up outside.

Biggins

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Biggins that shop was located right beside the library, which as you know is frequented by lots of kids. Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but I'd rather not have young kids exposed to things like that.


Im flattered that my response provoked a thread though!

The windows were indeed completely frosted up and showed absolutely nothing outside or as to contents - and was in fact around the corner slightly further down a wide alleyway (disco at the bottom of it and apartments).
Young minds I suggest even by passing in close proximity, would have known little or nothing to its inner contents, just even in passing.

krudler

Biggins wrote: »

Be it Ann Summers style or Miss Fantasias style - if as a shop front, they are within average acceptable standard practises of public decency etc, was partly my thought.
They don't HAVE to be an Ann Summers shop to be allowed as such but summers shops and others like it facade-wise, seen to look better presented to the public.

http://s3-media3.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/aRaZl0KZr3IKvcwOmeQq2A/l.jpg

thats Miss Fantasias, perfectly acceptable I'd reckon, you'd see as much lingerie in the window of Dunnes as you would there

Biggins

mikemac wrote: »

...It would bother you if one opened right next door to you on your street or in your estate
These are open until one or two am and their bright signage

As the head of the residents association, I would have to guage the neighbours feelings and act upon those - myself, if it was run appropriately as with any other business, trying to fit in with the area and done allowing for others worries, I would genuinely have no objection.

Ally Dick wrote: »

I think Anne Summers shops are more harmless that the sex shop selling mags, videos etc. to be honest. Porn should be accessible to anyone over 18 that wants it. The sex shops in Ireland are in the right place, discreetly tucked away, doing no harm. That's the way it should be. I don't think we should ever get like England with body parts on display on the top shelfs of general newsagents. At the end of the day, who am I to criticise how another bloke has a pedal and crank, but as Billy Connolly said "It's not a spectator sport". Keep it all away from anyone underage, and I am fine with it

Thats my general feeling too.

K-9

xsiborg wrote: »

Interesting one this actually, was watching "Undercover Boss" on channel 4 recently and it was the boss of Ann Summers that went under cover to see how her shops could be improved, and it just so happened that customers wanted raunchier and more explicit niche, BDSM products, one shop i think it was in Brighton, the manageress there really seemed passionate about turning the Ann Summers brand from a cliche'd tacky shop to an actual proper sex shop.

i've been in the local ann summers shop and i have to say, while the attitude of the staff was extremely professional, a lot of the products were just standard "meh", as in they were over-priced "cheap" products, i just happened to be in a hurry as it was a friend's birthday that night so i paid €70 for a standard vibrator that i could have got online for half the price!

there's another sex shop then right across the road from a dunnes stores, doesn't seem to do much business though, i havent been in there yet myself but i imagine yet again they do more business online than from the shop.

i do think they have a place in modern society, certainly, but do i think they are a viable business in bricks and mortar form? certainly not.




hmm, cant see the connection there Biggins, evil people are evil, the visibility of sex shops, nor the availability of sex toys would never have, and will never, change this.

Anne Summers is like the McDonalds of sex shops. Over priced, commercialised crap.

I'd rather a nice, tasteful lingerie shop on a main street.

Leave Anne Summers to shopping centres with the other multi national, advertising, boring stuff.

badabing106

Ally Dick wrote: »

I don't think we should ever get like England with body parts on display on the top shelfs of general newsagents.

In every subway station in Germany there is a "beat house" where adults can go masterbate over thousands of videos of their choice, without recrimination and procrastianation. These outlets are in full view, not hidden away!

It amazes me out conservative people can be, and can only refer to "things" as "body parts".. penis and masterbation and vagina are not bad words!

Anne summers is a lingerie shop, nothing riske about it.

An Adult shop selling dvds/toys to over 18s= non riske /nothing to talk to joe about lol

Chuck Stone

Better to have it out in the open so it can be monitored by society. Outlawing it just drives it into the realm of scummers.

Biggins

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Bit of an issue when they have stuff in the window or posters stuck up outside.

I would totally agree with you there - but as the Summers shops or indeed as the shop jpeg above shows

krudler wrote: »

http://s3-media3.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/aRaZl0KZr3IKvcwOmeQq2A/l.jpg

of the other type shops do, they can be done nicely too without over doing it to the point of offence and/or over exposure.

stovelid

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Bit of an issue when they have stuff in the window or posters stuck up outside.

But they never do.

Bipolar Joe

badabing106 wrote: »

In every subway station in Germany there is a "beat house" where adults can go masterbate over thousands of videos of their choice, without recrimination and procrastianation. These outlets are in full view, not hidden away!

Ya what? I was only there two months ago, fairly confident I didn't spot any dudes whacking one out any place.

Wolfe Tone

Biggins wrote: »

The windows were indeed completely frosted up and showed absolutely nothing outside or as to contents - and was in fact around the corner slightly further down a wide alleyway (disco at the bottom of it and apartments).
Young minds I suggest even by passing in close proximity, would have known little or nothing to its inner contents, just even in passing.

Would you object if it wasn't so "reserved"? I distinctly remember once upon a time there being posters outside and a little sign thing detailing what was on offer.


I don't have a major objection to the content of these shops, I've been in a few myself, I dislike the "in your face" aspects some have and their general seediness, and I don't think its good for kids to be exposed. Not in my town I say, or at least out of sight.

Sure everything is cheaper on the internet!

jive

K-9 wrote: »

Anne Summers is like the McDonalds of sex shops. Over priced, commercialised crap.

McDonalds is over priced?? They sell burgers for a €1....

My name is URL

I remember seeing one in Dundlak which was close to a head-shop and across the road from a cash converters and a 'RA-head bar, lol.

Don't see a problem with them in a normal commercial setting, but when they're in places where other somewhat questionable shit goes on then it doesn't do their image much good.

K-9

jive wrote: »

McDonalds is over priced?? They sell burgers for a €1....

I did have a full stop after the comparison.

badabing106

Anyone who has lived in any european country for more than a week would be more open minded than some people on this thread

Biggins

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Would you object if it wasn't so "reserved"? I distinctly remember once upon a time there being posters outside and a little sign thing detailing what was on offer.

I honestly don't remember that, and I used the taxi office right next door to it almost daily (- still do).
I never seen any posters in their large windows - never mind exposing their wares - and I know the Taxi company owner (a good friend) wouldn't have stood for it either if that was the prolonged case.

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

I don't have a major objection to the content of these shops, I've been in a few myself, I dislike the "in your face" aspects some have and their general seediness, and I don't think its good for kids to be exposed. Not in my town I say, or at least out of sight.

I see where your coming from (no pun intended! ) but I think they do have a right to exist along with other shops - even if only to some degree within guidelines of local/national by-laws, etc.

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

...Sure everything is cheaper on the internet!

Very true but sometimes as with clothing, etc, a two inch monitor picture is not adequate as to be able to judge the quality of a supposed stated product.
Sometimes the personal ability to assess an item at close quarters before purchase is still advisable and useful too.

starbelgrade

Biggins wrote: »

I assume there is in every town, regulations as to what can be displayed or that the decor of a shop frontage, has to be within local (and maybe national?) guidelines.
So "tasteful" in frontage so that no one is offended as they pass by and don't enter - if you know what I mean.

Every shop front or change to a shop front, needs planning permission. The problem in Ireland is that the department who enforces planning ie., Building Control, are vastly understaffed, which is why you see so many garish looking shop fronts popping up all over the place. Most of them without any planning permission whatsoever.

Biggins

starbelgrade wrote: »

Every shop front or change to a shop front, needs planning permission. The problem in Ireland is that the department who enforces planning ie., Building Control, are vastly understaffed, which is why you see so many garish looking shop fronts popping up all over the place. Most of them without any planning permission whatsoever.

Possibly very true.
(I don't know myself but will take your good word on it.)

I do know my home town do have strict guidelines and they are often enforced.

Da Shins Kelly

I have no problem with their existence, myself and my friends get a great laugh out of them when we pop in now and again. However, I still think that people are trying to get used to the idea of them, so they're still a little bit sordid-looking and located in strange places (in some parts of Ireland) that are kind of out of the way so it all seems very seedy.

starbelgrade

Biggins wrote: »

Possibly very true.
(I don't know myself but will take your good word on it.)

I do know my home town do have strict guidelines and they are often enforced.

It's definitely true. The enforcement comes down to how vigilant each local authority is & what resources they have available to them. There's also the not so small matter of political pressure, which is sadly, still a huge factor when it comes to planning & enforcement.

The Val Falvey effect is still pretty much alive in many towns & villages across Ireland.

Biggins

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

I have no problem with their existence, myself and my friends get a great laugh out of them when we pop in now and again. However, I still think that people are trying to get used to the idea of them, so they're still a little bit sordid-looking and located in strange places (in some parts of Ireland) that are kind of out of the way so it all seems very seedy.

I could be wrong but I feel part of the problem is that, as long as they are seen to be shoved away in darkened alley corners or spots sometimes, they will forever be seen as such 'seedy' places.
Its a double edged sword, their locations can be.

Biggins

starbelgrade wrote: »

...The Val Falvey effect is still pretty much alive in many towns & villages across Ireland.

*Goes on a Google search*

starbelgrade

Ireland can be quite a backward island when it comes to things of a sexual nature. Stringfellows in Dublin was basically shut down by a load of locals who didn't want "sex on their doorstep".

That despite the fact that the capital probably has more knocking shops that Amsterdam.

As long as people maintain their democratic right to be fucking idiots & as long as Joe Duffy is still around to give them a voice, then the herd mentalilty will sadly win out more often than not.

Having said that, I still think Peter Stringfellow is a twat & I really wasn't that sad to see one of his businesses fail.

Jimoslimos

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Biggins that shop was located right beside the library, which as you know is frequented by lots of kids.

Kids these days go to the library?

Bipolar Joe

starbelgrade wrote: »

Ireland can be quite a backward island when it comes to things of a sexual nature. Stringfellows in Dublin was basically shut down by a load of locals who didn't want "sex on their doorstep".

That despite the fact that the capital probably has more knocking shops that Amsterdam.

As long as people maintain their democratic right to be fucking idiots & as long as Joe Duffy is still around to give them a voice, then the herd mentalilty will sadly win out more often than not.

Having said that, I still think Peter Stringfellow is a twat & I really wasn't that sad to see one of his businesses fail.

Yeah, even his hair makes me want to punch him. He has that effect (Intense, seething jealousy).